 | | Cassius F. ButtsRegional AdministratorU.S. Small Business Administration |
The SBA's flagship 7(a) and 504 loan programs already have placed $4.2 billion into the hands of entrepreneurs across the Southeast Region so far this fiscal year. Lending is up 45 percent over the same time last year (Oct. 1- July 3, a significant increase from the prior year. To read full press release click here Veronica Wallace, Lead Lender Relations Specialist for the North Florida District Office, is set to retire after 49 years of federal service. She started her federal career with the Office of Economic Opportunity in Washington D.C. in 1966, then transferred to the U.S. Department of Commerce in 1968, and finally transitioned to the Small Business Administration in 1975. Ms. Wallace has worked in various roles at the SBA, most recently as the Acting Deputy Director for the North Florida District Office. She has served as the team lead for the finance division in North Florida since 1997, and previously worked in portfolio management and loan servicing. She is currently an active member of her Church, and plans to relax, travel, and enjoy retirement. District Director Wilfredo Gonzalez and the staff of the North Florida district and the entire SBA team would like to wish Ms. Wallace a happy retirement! Happy retirement to Veronica Wallace, Lead Lender Relations Specialist, SBA North Florida District Office! Thank you for your years of service! | |  |
What's Happening for Small Business In Your Area?State By State | | Alabama DistrictTom Todt, Alabama District Director On August 11, the Alabama District Office held a check presentation ceremony at the Innovation Depot to signify their winning a $50,000 grant as a participant in the Growth Accelerator Fund Competition. The Innovation Depot won the grant for their Velocity program, an intensive, two-phase, mentor-driven accelerator program that will serve the Birmingham and surrounding State of Alabama region to increase the creation of high-growth technology companies. |
Left to right: Devon Laney, President and CEO of Innovation Depot, Inc. and Tom Todt, SBA Alabama District Director | |  |
 | | North Florida DistrictWilfredo J. Gonzalez, District Director Donna Padgug, Economic Development Specialist, was a panelist at the University of Phoenix's (Jacksonville Campus) "Start Small: Think Big" event on August 11. Topics included key elements of a business plan, buying a business, the advantages and disadvantages of franchise ownership, SBA loan programs, marketing, policies and procedures, and the challenges of running a small business. Jay Choi, Business Opportunity Specialist, presented a workshop to students and recent graduates Virginia College of Jacksonville, FL – Business Department. The workshop was designed to help young entrepreneurs learn more about starting a business, access to capital, mentoring and counseling options, and government contracting. Natalie Hall, Economic Development Specialist and Thaddeus Hammond, Business Opportunity Specialist participated in the 2015 Veterans Stand Down Job Fair, sponsored by the City of Jacksonville - Military Affairs Department. The duo provided counseling to several existing veteran entrepreneurs, as well as those considering starting a business. The event was open to both enlisted service members and veterans. |
The North Florida District hosted an Open House on August 20 to celebrate the renovation of the district office space. Guests included resource partners, small business owners, retired employees, and lenders. District Director Wilfredo Gonzalez dedicated the newly added conference room to retired employee Lucille Trotter. Ms. Trotter served as the Chief of Finance/Assistant District Director for Economic Development for the North Florida District Office prior to her retirement in 2001.
Right to Left: Rosalind Bryant, Lender Relations Specialist; Lucille Trotter, Retired NFDO Chief of Finance; and Veronica Wallace, Lead Lender Relations Specialist. | |  |
 | | SBA North Florida Resource Partners: Michael Myhre, Florida SBDC CEO and Network State Director; Janice Donaldson, Regional Director Florida SBDC; Wilfredo J. Gonzalez, North Florida District Director; Pat Blanchard, Director, Jacksonville Women's Business Center; and Jeffrey Turner, Jacksonville SCORE Chapter Chair. |
 | | South Florida DistrictFrancisco "Pancho" Marrero, District Director The South Florida District office is committed to providing business support and development through inclusivity and diversity to ensure that all small business owners have the opportunity to grow and succeed! |
On July 23, 2015 Jeff Campbell, Assistant District Director for the 8(a) division for the South Florida District Office, had the opportunity to speak at a Business Development Workshop sponsored by Cherokee Nation Technology Solutions and the SBA Office of Native American Affairs . The workshop titled "Tribal and Native American 8(a) Business Development workshop" focused on unique rules and considerations for American Indian Tribes that are participating in the 8(a)business development as well as ways to foster growth and expansion to ensure sustainability of Native-owned companies.  | | L to R: Amy Martin, SBA ONAA 8(a) Business Development Trainer; Melissa Almarez, Rain Dancer Lawn and Fence, LLC; Paulette Bowers, Rain Dancer Lawn and Fence, LLC;Frank Lane, Stover & Associates, Inc., Senior Instructor ; Randy Ruedas, Rain Dancer Lawn and Fence, LLC. |
 | | On July 29, 2015 Charles Long, Lead Lender Relations Specialist South Florida District office, along with his peers from the Tampa area lending industry were in force to help small business owners become lender ready and explore their options to finance and grow their businesses by connecting with local area resources and lenders at the St. Leo Finance fair. |
Photo above: LtoR: Krista Covey, Pasco County EDC; Dawn Newsome, San Antonio Citizens Credit Union; Rebecca Gaddis, San Antonio Citizens Credit Union; Jim Lankford, GTE Financial ; Joana Feimi, GulfCoast Business Finance; Dr. Lorrie McGovern, St. Leo University; Adriana Contreras, Accion ; Brad Owens, SunCoast Credit Union; Charles Long, U.S. Small Business Administration; James Chittenden, FSBDC Florida Small business owners from all groups now have a champion for their concerns regarding burdensome federal regulations. I am pleased to acknowledge 2014 Emerging Leader Graduate Moisés Montañez who was just appointed on July 29th, by SBA Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet to participate on the Region IV Regulatory Fairness Board. Mr. Montañez is well qualified to champion the needs of the small business owners in South Florida, using his voice to request relief from burdensome federal regulations that greatly affect the small business community. On August 12th the South Florida District office presented at the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) International Business and Leadership conference. Jonel Hein, Deputy District Director and Ray Lewis, Business Opportunity Specialist, participated in panels on which covered topics such as SBA programs and services, as well contracting opportunities with the Federal Government. On August 13th, SBA's Deputy Administrator Doug Kramer provided a speech at the NGLCC conference that focused on how the Agency is poised to support the development of entrepreneurs in the LGBT community. He also spoke on the SBA's flagship LGBT outreach initiative, the LGBT Business Builder.  | | Panel L TO R: Jonel Hein, Deputy District Director ; Debby Petrell, Florida First Capital Finance Corporation; Rafael Cruz, Ft. Lauderdale SBDC; Russell Patterson, Broward SCORE; David Perry, SBA DDD Georgia Office & National LGBT Coordinator. |
Mr. Doug Kramer, SBA Deputy Administrator, on stage at the NGLCC annual conference. | |  |
On August 14, 2015 Miguel Gonzalez had the opportunity to focus on New Americans who are interested in becoming entrepreneurs, through the SBA's New American initiative program. Miguel welcomed over 30 participants who were interested in finding out what types of programs and services the U.S. Small Business Administration has available to start their ventures as both a New Americans and new business owners here in the U.S.  | | Georgia DistrictTerri Denison, District Director The Georgia District Office has formed a cosponsorship with the Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council (GMSDC), The Southern Company (parent company to Georgia Power) and the Georgia SBDC to provide a two day intensive workshop for transition phase 8(a) firms. The curriculum was developed by Lloyd Atkins, Director of Minority Business Development for the Georgia SBDC and Ken Huff, Supplier Diversity Manager for the Southern Company after interviewing successful 8(a) graduates around the country. The course content focuses on helping firms navigate the transition out of 8(a) through careful analysis of their company's operational and management strengths, diversifying contracting sources to include the private sector supply chain, and incorporating strategies used by highly successful 8(a) graduates. The agreement calls for four training events per year for the next two years. GMSDC will host the trainings. |
 | | Kentucky DistrictRalph Ross, District Director The SBA Kentucky District Office participated in the 13th Annual Bluegrass Area Minority Business Expo in Lexington, KY. One of the largest events of its kind in the region, the expo offered 10 educational sessions, expo reception, numerous networking opportunities, a business exchange and trade show. Several hundred business owners attended. The keynote luncheon speaker was Derek Anderson, former NBA and University of Kentucky basketball star and Olympic Medal Winner. In addition to the SBA Kentucky District Office, the Kentucky PTAC, the SBDC and SBA lenders also were involved, and representatives from those organizations were involved in several of the breakout sessions. New this year was a publication featuring lists of SBA Certified Firms as well as Kentucky DBE and MWBE certified firms.
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 | | Mississippi DistrictJanita Stewart, District Director
The SBA Mississippi District Office in co-sponsorship with FDIC, held "Mississippi Meet the Lenders – Small Business Borrower – Lenders Match-Making Event" on Tuesday, August 11, 2015. This highly successful event, with over 240 registrations, provided small business owners and entrepreneurs the opportunity to meet one-on-one/face-to-face with representatives from 24 Banks, Certified Development Companies, Microlenders, and Alternative Lenders to discuss the availability of SBA loans and other loan products in the marketplace. The attendees also took advantage of the opportunity to gain valuable insight and counseling from the Jackson State University SBDC, The Hinds Community College SBDC, SCORE, the VBOC, Mississippi Development Authority, Mississippi Secretary of State's Office and the Mississippi State University Extension Service. The event was so well received by the participating lenders and resource organizations that it has been requested that the event be replicated in other parts of the state. |
 Above: Mississippi District Office staff Gary Reed, Deputy Director; Penney Melton, Economic Development Specialist; Deborah Dean, Lender Relation Specialist; Regina Austin, MS Community Affairs Specialist (FDIC); Janita Stewart, District Director; Rosetta Harris, Lender Relation Specialist; Rhonda Fisher, Supervisory Lender Relation Specialist; Jeremy Sanford, Economic Development Specialist. Janita Stewart, Mississippi District Director/Gary Reed, Mississippi Deputy District Director/Conference Attendees  | | North Carolina DistrictLynn Douthett, District Director Lynn Douthett, District Director, North Carolina District Office and Steve White, SBA Senior Area Manager, attended and participated at the NC Rural Center Regional Advocacy Roundtable in Lenoir, NC. The event brought together business and civic leaders from across the region to discuss and plan a method for increasing economic development, infrastructure improvement and commercial asset retention for rural areas and municipalities across the state. |
L to R: An attendee at NC Rural Center Regional Advocacy Roundtable in Lenoir, NC receives Small Business Administration information from SBA NC District Director Lynn Douthett. | |  |
 | | L to R: Steve White, SBA Senior Area Manager; Brian Crumb, NC Rural Center Board Member; and Amanda Sorrells, AssistantDirector of Entrepreneurship at the North Carolina Economic Development Center, discuss ways to increase small business development in rural areas. |
 | | South Carolina DistrictElliott Cooper, District Director On Tuesday, September 1, the South Carolina District Office will partner with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to present the Columbia SHOP Marketplace Business Roundtable. The Roundtable, which will be held at the Columbia Chamber of Commerce, will engage business leaders, agents, brokers, assisters and navigators in a discussion on how to better educate the small business community about the SHOP (Small Business Health Options Program) Marketplace and the health care law. WHO: Business leaders, agents, brokers, assisters, navigators and other insurance stakeholders WHAT: A roundtable discussion of how to better educate South Carolina's small business community about the SHOP Marketplace and the health care law. In addition to SBA and HHS, the event will include representatives from the Columbia Chamber of Commerce and the South Carolina Small Business Chamber of Commerce. WHEN: 1:00 – 2:00 on Tuesday, September 1 WHERE: Columbia Chamber of Commerce, 930 Richland Street, Columbia, SC 29201 Spaces are limited, and registration is required. To RSVP, email SHOPRSVP@cms.hhs.gov with your name, organization and a brief description of your role (e.g. agent, broker, small business community leader, etc.). |
 | | Tennessee DistrictWalter Perry, District Director Loans are available in the Volunteer State! Looking at SBA Lending in Tennessee comparing July 31, 2014 to July 31, 2015… SBA lending statewide is up 62% in the number of loans and 57% in dollars with totals currently at 540 loans and $304 million in dollars statewide thanks to 117 active lenders. Recognizing small business accomplishments, the District awarded Vanee Simmons of Arlington, Tennessee with the West Tennessee Woman Owned Small Business of Year and Soo-Tsong Lim of Unistar-Sparco Computers, Inc. of Millington, Tennessee with the 8(a) of the Year Award. Upcoming, the District has several collaborative events with SCORE – including a Small Business Workshop with the Chattanooga Chapter on September 2 and a Small Business Entrepreneurship Conference on September 23 in Nashville. The District will also be participating in the Metro Nashville Small Business Expo on September 3, highlighting SBA programs to immigrant entrepreneurs who are starting a business. Growth accelerators, including Memphis-based ZeroTo510 and Start Co. Integration Accelerator along with Chattanooga-based CO.LAB, received SBA funding through SBA Growth Accelerator Fund Competition. And the City of Memphis was the only city in Tennessee to receive a $50,000 Start-Up in a Day award from a national SBA competition to help cities streamline the licensing, permitting, and other requirements needed to start a business, with the goal that an entrepreneur can apply for everything necessary to begin a business within one business day. |
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